M.S. Rau to unveil French Quarter store expansion Nov. 15

M.S. Rau is completing the move back into its renovated galleries in New Orleans’ French Quarter. M.R. Rau image

NEW ORLEANS – After three years of planning, negotiations and navigating the complexities of a historic renovation, M.S. Rau is now ready to unveil its multimillion-dollar new retail gallery expansion to the public. The gallery’s new footprint in the French Quarter covers nearly 40,000 square feet of indoor space over three floors and four open courtyards encompassing the entire block.

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Bible underscores Lincoln’s belief he was to end slavery

The King James Bible was presented to President Lincoln on June 16, 1864. Image courtesy of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A Bible given to Abraham Lincoln in the final months of the Civil War ties together the 16th president’s budding views on spirituality and his belief that God was calling him to end slavery as well as his widow’s labors to solidify his religious standing, historians say.

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Rare 13-star flags on display at Revolution museum

Thirteen hand-sewn, single appliques stars in a broad arch above a hand-sewn federal eagle, probably made by flagmaker Sarah McFadden. Courtesy Museum of the American Revolution

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Dozens of rare 13-star American flags never before exhibited will be on display at the Museum of the American Revolution.

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Haven’t I seen you somewhere before, maybe the Antiques Roadshow?

Minton majolica Tortoise teapot and cover, 20.5cm (8in), date cypher for 1878, featured in Sworders’ June 25-26 auction. Estimate: $1,900-$3,200

STANSTED MOUNTFICHET, UK – In no particular hurry to reach its destination, this wonderfully decorative Victorian teapot was probably the center of attention at many a fashionable garden party, but now it’s headed for the spotlight at Sworders auction house.

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Rago to auction large flock of Martin Bros. birds in Sept.

Martin Brothers 13.75-inch-tall Wally Bird vessel. Est. $50,000-$75,000. Image courtesy of Rago Auctions

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – On September 21, 2019 Rago will bring to auction a fabulous and finely curated single-owner collection of Martin Brothers pottery. The 27-piece grouping, which includes over 20 single, double, and triple bird-form humidors and vessels, represents one of the largest single-owner collections of Martin Brothers ever offered at auction and comes to Rago via UK-based dealer, AD Antiques. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Live Civil War-era cannonball on display 20 years detonated

A Civil War 8-inch cannonball that is inactive; its fuse hole intact. Image courtesy Affiliated Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

PLEASANTON, Kan. (AP) – Authorities in eastern Kansas have detonated a Civil War-era cannonball that had been on public display for two decades before officials determined it was live ordnance.

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